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We are now two weeks into the 2025 season and the Rays will now take on the Atlanta Braves in a three game series in Tampa.

The Braves are coming off a 2024 season in which they tied for second in the National League East with a 89-73 record, which was good enough to get them one of the Wild Card spots in the postseason, despite injuries to key players such as Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies. Unfortunately, they suffered a quick exit at the hands of the San Diego Padres.

Atlanta is off to a rough start in 2025, beginning the season on a seven game losing streak and have a record of 3-9 entering play on Friday, last place in the NL East, five games back; they are however coming off a series victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Marcell Ozuna is currently the team’s leading player in fWAR (0.6) and wRC+ (195), while Spencer Schwellenbach has been the team’s best pitcher.

The Rays just suffered a series loss to the Los Angeles Angels, losing two of three and falling to 5-7 on the season; the Rays are now two games back of the divison lead.

Frivolities

The top players by career WAR to have played for the Rays and Angels:

1. Fred McGriff
2. Julio Franco
3. Yunel Escobar
4. Jose Bautista
5. B.J. Upton

The Rays best player offensively against the Braves all-time (min. 25 PA):
Fred McGriff: .326/.373/.674 with 5 HR over 51 PA

GAME ONE

Friday, April 11th
7:05 PM EDT

RHP Taj Bradley vs RHP Bryce Elder

GAME TWO

Saturday, April 12th
4:10 PM EDT

RHP Drew Rasmussen vs RHP AJ Smith-Shawver

GAME THREE

Sunday, April 13th
1:40 PM EDT

RHP Shane Baz vs LHP Chris Sale